Monitoring optical decay in fiber connectivity systems

ABSTRACT

A tracking system includes a tracking arrangement including a processor, memory, and at least a first interface port; and one or more optical modules. Each optical module includes a housing having at least one input port, at least a first output port, and at least a first monitoring port. An optical power splitter arrangement and an optical receiver are disposed within the housing. The splitter arrangement splits optical signals received at the input port onto one or more output lines and one or more monitoring lines. The output lines are routed to the output ports and the monitoring lines are routed to the optical receiver. The optical receiver measures the power of optical signals received from the first monitoring line and provides a measurement signal to the first monitoring port of the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/937,654,filed Jul. 9, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,219,543, which applicationclaims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/670,437, filedJul. 11, 2012, which applications are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

BACKGROUND

In communications infrastructure installations, a variety ofcommunications devices can be used for switching, cross-connecting, andinterconnecting communications signal transmission paths in acommunications network. Some such communications devices are installedin one or more equipment racks to permit organized, high-densityinstallations to be achieved in limited space available for equipment.

Communications devices can be organized into communications networks,which typically include numerous logical communication links betweenvarious items of equipment. Often a single logical communication link isimplemented using several pieces of physical communication media. Forexample, a logical communication link between a computer and aninter-networking device such as a hub or router can be implemented asfollows. A first cable connects the computer to a jack mounted in awall. A second cable connects the wall-mounted jack to a port of a patchpanel, and a third cable connects the inter-networking device to anotherport of a patch panel. A “patch cord” cross connects the two together.In other words, a single logical communication link is often implementedusing several segments of physical communication media.

Network management systems (NMS) are typically aware of logicalcommunication links that exist in a communications network, buttypically do not have information about the specific physical layermedia (e.g., the communications devices, cables, couplers, etc.) thatare used to implement the logical communication links. Indeed, NMSsystems typically do not have the ability to display or otherwiseprovide information about how logical communication links areimplemented at the physical layer level.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to optical modules that provide physicallayer management capabilities. In accordance with certain aspects, theoptical modules are configured to monitor the power of the signalsreceived at the optical module. For example, the optical module may beconfigured to periodically or intermittently measure the power of thereceived signal and to report the measured power to a tracking system.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in thedescription that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individualfeatures and to combinations of features. It is to be understood thatboth the forgoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosedherein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the description, illustrate several aspects of the presentdisclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example tracking systemincluding a tracking arrangement for monitoring signal strength atmultiple optical modules;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an example optical modulesuitable for use in the tracking system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another example optical modulesuitable for use in the tracking system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an optical adapter including a mediareading interface and a printed circuit board suitable for use in theoptical modules of FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a communicationsmanagement system that includes PLI functionality as well as PLMfunctionality in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the presentdisclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a power monitoring system 100 including a trackingarrangement 110 and a plurality of optical modules 120. In someimplementations, the tracking arrangement 110 services only one of theoptical modules 120. In other implementations, the tracking arrangement110 services multiple optical modules 120. In the example shown, thetracking arrangement 110 services a first optical module 120A, a secondoptical module 120B, and a third optical module 120C. In otherimplementation, however, the tracking arrangement 110 may service agreater or lesser number of optical modules 120.

The tracking arrangement 110 includes at least one processor 112, atleast one memory storage 114, and at least one port interface 116. Insome implementations, the processor 112, memory 114, and port interfaces116 are connected by circuitry (e.g., a bus) 111. In certainimplementations, the tracking arrangement 110 is implemented using asingle device (e.g., such as a computer). In other implementations, thetracking arrangement 110 is implemented using multiple computers (e.g.,a computer network).

The port interface 116 is configured to receive a power reading from oneor more optical modules 120. In some implementations, the port interface116 receives a wired connection from one or more of the optical modules120. In other implementations, the port interface 116 receives awireless connection from one or more of the optical modules 120. Instill other implementations, the tracking arrangement 110 may be part ofthe same device or equipment as the optical module 120.

The memory 114 can be configured to store the power readings receivedfrom the optical modules 120. The processor 112 of the trackingarrangement 110 is configured to analyze the power readings receivedfrom the optical modules 120. For example, in certain implementations,the processor 112 can compare a plurality of power readings taken fromthe same optical module 120 over time to determine a rate of decay forthe optical module 120. In other implementations, the processor 112 cancompare new power readings with predetermined thresholds to detectsignificant power losses.

In some implementations, each optical module 120 includes a couplerarrangement 122 and an optical receiver 130. The coupler arrangement 122is configured to receive optical power signals (e.g., from an opticalnetwork) and to allow the optical signals to propagate to outgoingoptical fibers or to output ports of the optical module 120. Theoutgoing optical signals may be directed from the optical module 120 tooptical equipment or to another part of the optical network.

The optical receiver 130 is configured to measure the strength (e.g.,power) of the optical signals propagating through the couplerarrangement 122. In certain implementations, the optical receiver 130 isa photo detector.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of one example optical module 120including a housing 124 having at least one input port 121 and at leastone output port arrangement 129. The optical receiver 130 is disposedwithin the housing 124. The optical module 120 also includes an opticalpower splitter 125 that receives an input line 123 from the input port121. At least one output line 127 and at least one monitor line 132extend outwardly from the power splitter 125. Each output line 127extends between the power splitter 125 and an output port arrangement129. Each monitor line 132 extends between the power splitter 135 andthe optical receiver 130.

The power splitter 125 splits each optical signal received at the inputport 121 onto the output line 127 and the monitor line 132. In someimplementations, the power splitter 125 splits the optical signals sothat at least 80% of the optical signal propagates to the output line127 and no more than 20% of the optical signal propagates to the monitorline 132. In certain implementations, the power splitter 125 splits theoptical signals so that at least 90% of the optical signal propagates tothe output line 127 and no more than 10% of the optical signalpropagates to the monitor line 132. In certain implementations, about95% of the optical signal is split onto the output line 127 and about 5%of the optical signal is split onto the monitor line 132. In certainimplementations, about 98% of the optical signal is split onto theoutput line 127 and about 2% of the optical signal is split onto themonitor line 132. Accordingly, a majority of the optical signal power isretained within the optical network.

In some implementations, multiple output lines 127 and multiple monitorlines 132 extend outwardly from the power splitter 125. In the exampleshown, eight output lines 127 and eight monitor lines 132 extendoutwardly from the power splitter 125. In other implementations, agreater or lesser number of output lines 127 and/or monitor lines 132may extend outwardly from the power splitter 125. In still otherimplementations, a first power splitter splits a small percentage of theoptical signal onto a monitor line 132 and a second power splittersplits the rest of the optical signal onto output lines 127. In stillother implementations, a first power splitter splits the optical signalonto multiple input lines directed to additional power splitters. Theadditional power splitters each split a small percentage of the signalsreceived at the respective input line onto a respective monitor line 132and direct the rest of the signal onto a respective output line 127.

The optical receiver 130 is coupled to a monitor port 136 that isconnected to the port interface 116 of the tracking arrangement 110. Insome implementations, the optical receiver 130 is coupled to a printedcircuit board 134 having electronic circuitry that connects the opticalreceiver 130 to the monitor port 136. In certain implementations,electrical power can be provided to the optical receiver 130 from apower source (e.g., a wall outlet, a battery, etc.) through the monitorport 136. For example, electrical power signals can be provided to themonitor port 136 and directed over the circuit board 134 to the opticalreceiver 130. In other implementations, electrical power signals can bedirected to the optical receiver 130 through a separate electrical powerport.

In some implementations, the tracking arrangement 110 forms part of adata management system that monitors other types of informationpertaining to the optical system. For example, certain types of datamanagement systems track physical layer information pertaining to theoptical system. In some implementations, one or more optical connectorsthat are configured to plug into the output port arrangements 129 storephysical layer information. This information may be obtained from theoptical connectors when they are plugged into the output portarrangements 129 and the information may be directed to the datamanagement network via the monitor port 136.

In the example shown, a second printed circuit board 138 extends acrossone or more of the output port arrangements 129 to collect informationfrom the optical connectors plugged therein. The second circuit board138 is electronically coupled (e.g., via wires, a pin connector, anedge-connector, etc.) to the first circuit board 134 to connect the portarrangements 129 to the monitor port 136. In other implementations, thefirst and second circuit boards 134, 138 form two sections of a singlecircuit board. In still other implementations, the second circuit board138 is wired to the optical receiver 130 and/or the monitor port 136.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another example optical module320 including a housing 324 having at least one input port 321 and atleast one output port arrangement 329. One or more optical receivers 330are disposed within the housing 324. The optical module 320 alsoincludes an optical power splitter arrangement 325 that receives inputlines 323 from the input port 321. In certain implementations, multipleinput lines 323 extend from one input port 321. For example, the port321 may be configured to receive an MPO-type connector terminatingmultiple optical fibers. In the example shown, eight input lines 323extend from a single port 321. In other implementations, a greater orlesser number of input lines 323 may extend from a greater or lessernumber of ports 321.

At least one output line 327 and at least one monitor line 332 extendoutwardly from the power splitter arrangement 325. Each output line 327extends between the power splitter arrangement 325 and an output portarrangement 329. In some implementations, the number of output lines 327is equal to the number of input lines 323. In other implementations, thenumber of output lines 327 may be greater than the number of input lines323. For example, signal carried on the input lines 323 may be splitonto two or more output lines 327. In the example shown, eight outputlines 327 extend from the splitter arrangement 325 to single opticalconnectors and/or adapter ports.

Each monitor line 332 extends between the power splitter arrangement 325and one of the optical receivers 330. In some implementations, each ofthe monitor lines 332 extends to a common optical receiver 330. Incertain implementations, only some of the monitor lines 332 extend to acommon optical receiver 330. In other implementations, each of themonitor lines 332 extends to a separate optical receiver 330 a-330 h.

The power splitter arrangement 325 splits each optical signal receivedat the input port 321 onto the output line 327 and the monitor line 332.In some implementations, the power splitter arrangement 325 includes asplitter chip holding multiple splitters. In the example shown, thepower splitter arrangement 325 holds eight splitters 325 a-325 h thateach split signals carried over one of the input lines 323 onto one ofthe output lines 327 and one of the monitor lines 332. In otherimplementations, each splitter may split the signal onto multiple outputlines 327 in addition to the monitor line 323. In still otherimplementations, the splitter arrangement 325 may split signals carriedon only some of the input lines 323.

In some implementations, the power splitter 325 splits the opticalsignals so that at least 50% of the optical signal propagates to theoutput line 327 and no more than 50% of the optical signal propagates tothe monitor line 332. In certain implementations, the power splitter 325splits the optical signals so that at least 80% of the optical signalpropagates to the output line 327 and no more than 20% of the opticalsignal propagates to the monitor line 332. In certain implementations,the power splitter 325 splits the optical signals so that at least 90%of the optical signal propagates to the output line 327 and no more than10% of the optical signal propagates to the monitor line 332. In certainimplementations, about 95% of the optical signal is split onto theoutput line 327 and about 5% of the optical signal is split onto themonitor line 332. In certain implementations, about 98% of the opticalsignal is split onto the output line 327 and about 2% of the opticalsignal is split onto the monitor line 332. Accordingly, a majority ofthe optical signal power is retained within the optical network.

Each of the optical receivers 330 are coupled to one or more monitorports 336 that connect to the port interface 116 of the trackingarrangement 110. In some implementations, the optical receivers 330 iscoupled to a printed circuit board 338 having electronic circuitry thatconnects the optical receivers 330 to the monitor ports 336. In theexample shown, eight optical receivers 330 are electrically connected toa common circuit board 338, which carries signals between the opticalreceivers 330 and the monitor port 336. In other implementations, eachoptical receiver 330 may be associated with a unique monitor port 336via one or more circuit boards. In still other implementations, groupsof optical receivers 330 may be associated with common monitor ports 336via one or more circuit boards. In still other implementations, theoptical receivers 330 may be wired to the ports 336 without usingcircuit boards.

In certain implementations, electrical power can be provided to theoptical receivers 330 from a power source (e.g., a wall outlet, abattery, etc.) through the monitor ports 336. For example, in FIG. 3,electrical power signals can be provided to the monitor port 336 anddirected over the circuit board 338 to the optical receivers 330. Inother implementations, electrical power signals can be directed to theoptical receivers 330 through one or more separate electrical powerports.

In implementations where the tracking arrangement 110 forms part of adata management system, the circuit board 338 may communicate withstorage devices on the optical connectors (e.g., via readers) to obtainphysical layer information or other information from the opticalconnectors when they are plugged into the output port arrangements 329.The information obtained from the storage devices may be directed to thedata management network via the monitor port 336.

In accordance with some aspects of the disclosure, an examplecommunications and data management system includes at least part of acommunications network along which communications signals pass. Opticalfibers connect equipment of the communications network. In otherimplementations, the communications network may connect other types ofmedia segments including electrical cables and hybrid cables. Such mediasegments may be terminated with electrical plugs, electrical jacks,media converters, or other termination components.

In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the communications anddata management system provides physical layer information (PLI)functionality as well as physical layer management (PLM) functionality.As the term is used herein, “PLI functionality” refers to the ability ofa physical component or system to identify or otherwise associatephysical layer information with some or all of the physical componentsused to implement the physical layer of the system. As the term is usedherein, “PLM functionality” refers to the ability of a component orsystem to manipulate or to enable others to manipulate the physicalcomponents used to implement the physical layer of the system (e.g., totrack what is connected to each component, to trace connections that aremade using the components, or to provide visual indications to a user ata selected component).

As the term is used herein, “physical layer information” refers toinformation about the identity, attributes, and/or status of thephysical components used to implement the physical layer of thecommunications system. Physical layer information of the communicationssystem can include media information, device information, and locationinformation. Media information refers to physical layer informationpertaining to cables, plugs, connectors, and other such physical media.Non-limiting examples of media information include a part number, aserial number, a plug type, a conductor type, a cable length, cablepolarity, a cable pass-through capacity, a date of manufacture, amanufacturing lot number, the color or shape of the plug connector, aninsertion count, and testing or performance information. Deviceinformation refers to physical layer information pertaining to thecommunications panels, inter-networking devices, media converters,computers, servers, wall outlets, and other physical communicationsdevices to which the media segments attach. Location information refersto physical layer information pertaining to a physical layout of abuilding or buildings in which the network is deployed.

In accordance with some aspects, one or more of the components (e.g.,media segments, equipment, etc.) of the communications network areconfigured to store physical layer information pertaining to thecomponent as will be disclosed in more detail herein. Some componentsinclude media reading interfaces that are configured to read storedphysical layer information from the components. The physical layerinformation obtained by the media reading interface may be communicatedover the network for processing and/or storage.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one example output port arrangement129, 329 configured to collect physical layer information from anoptical connector terminating an optical fiber. The output portarrangements 129, 329 are implemented using one or more optical adapters140 that each define at least one passage extending between a first portend 141 and a second port end 142. A sleeve (e.g., a split sleeve) 143is arranged within the adapter 140 between the first and second portends 141, 142. Each port end 142, 142 is configured to receive anoptical connector (e.g., an LC-type connector, an SC-type connector, anLX.5-type connector, an ST-type connector, and FC-type connector, anMPO-type connector, etc.) as will be described in more detail herein.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the output line 127, 327 routed to theadapter 140 and optically coupled to any connector loaded at the secondport 142. For example, the output line 127, 327 may include an opticalfiber terminated at an optical connector that is plugged into the firstadapter port 141. In other implementations, the output line 127, 327 isotherwise optically coupled to the second port 142. The second port 142is accessible from an exterior of the optical module 120. In the exampleshown, the second port 142 receives a connector (e.g., an LC-typeconnector) 150 terminating an optical fiber 152. The sleeve 143 alignsthe ferrule of the connector 150 so that optical signals from the outputline 127, 327 propagate to the optical fiber 152.

In some implementations, the optical connector 150 may include a storagedevice 155 that is configured to store physical layer information (e.g.,an identifier and/or attribute information) pertaining to the connector150 and/or the optical fiber cable 152 terminated thereby). In someimplementations, a second optical connector terminating the output line127, 327 also includes a storage device that is configured to storeinformation (e.g., an identifier and/or attribute information)pertaining to the second connector and/or the output line 127, 327. Inone implementation, the storage device 155 is implemented using anEEPROM (e.g., a PCB surface-mount EEPROM). In other implementations, thestorage device 155 is implemented using other non-volatile memorydevice. The storage device 155 is arranged and configured so that itdoes not interfere or interact with the communications signalscommunicated over the output line 127, 327 and optical fiber 152.

In accordance with some aspects, the adapter 140 is coupled to at leasta first media reading interface 145. In certain implementations, theadapter 140 also is coupled to at least a second media interface. Insome implementations, the adapter 140 is coupled to more than two mediareading interfaces. In certain implementations, the adapter 140 includesa media reading interface for each port end 141, 142 defined by theadapter 140. In other implementations, the adapter 140 includes a mediareading interface for each passageway defined by the adapter 140. Instill other implementations, the adapter 140 includes a media readinginterface 145 for only some of the passageways and/or ports 141, 142.

In some implementations, each media reading interface 145 includes oneor more electrical contacts 146. In certain implementations, the storagedevice 155 and the media reading interface 145 each include three (3)leads/contacts 146—a power lead, a ground lead, and a data lead. Thethree leads 146 of the storage device 155 come into electrical contactwith three (3) corresponding leads 146 of the media reading interface145 when the corresponding optical connector is inserted in thecorresponding port 141, 142. In certain example implementations, atwo-line interface is used with a simple charge pump. In still otherimplementations, additional leads 146 can be provided (e.g., forpotential future applications). Accordingly, the storage device 155 andthe media reading interface 145 may each include four (4) leads, five(5) leads, six (6) leads, etc.

In some implementations, at least the first media reading interface 145is mounted to a printed circuit board 138, 338. In the example shown,the first media reading interface 145 of the printed circuit board 138,338 is associated with the second port end 142 of the adapter 140. Insome implementations, the adapter 140 defines one or more slots 143 inwhich contacts 146 of the first media reading interface 145 aredisposed. In some implementations, each contact 146 is disposed in aseparate slot 144. In other implementations, the contacts 146 of asingle media reading interface 145 are disposed in the same slot 144.The slot 144 extends through a wall of the adapter 140 to connect thesecond port 142 to the circuit board 138 mounted to the adapter 140. Insome implementations, the printed circuit board 138 also can include asecond media reading interface (not shown) disposed in one or more slotsassociated with the first port end 141 of the adapter 140.

The printed circuit board 138, 338 can be communicatively connected toone or more programmable processors and/or to one or more networkinterfaces. The network interface may be configured to send the physicallayer information to a physical layer management network (e.g., see IPnetwork 218 of FIG. 5). In one implementation, one or more suchprocessors and interfaces can be arranged as components on the printedcircuit board 138, 338. In another implementation, one or more suchprocessor and interfaces can be arranged on separate circuit boards thatare coupled together. For example, the printed circuit board 138, 338can couple to other circuit boards via a card edge type connection, aconnector-to-connector type connection, a cable connection, etc.

When the optical connector 150 is received in the second port end 142 ofthe adapter 140, the first media reading interface 145 enables reading(e.g., by the processor) of information stored in the storage device155. The information read from the optical connector 150 can betransferred through the printed circuit board 138, 338 to a physicallayer management network, e.g., network 218 of FIG. 5, etc.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of one example implementation of acommunications management system 200 that includes PLI functionality aswell as PLM functionality. The management system 200 comprises aplurality of connector assemblies 202 (e.g., patch panels, blades,optical adapters, electrical jacks, media converters, transceivers,etc.), connected to an IP network 218. Each connector assembly 202includes one or more ports 204, each of which is configured to receive amedia segment for connection to other media segments or equipment of themanagement system 200. For the purposes of this disclosure, theconnector assemblies 202 include adapters 140 defining output portarrangements 129 described above. In other implementations, however,electrical connector assemblies and media segments may be used.

At least some of the connector assemblies 202 are designed for use withoptical cables that have physical layer information stored in or onthem. The physical layer information is configured to be read by aprogrammable processor 206 associated with one or more connectorassemblies 202. In general, the programmable processor 206 communicateswith memory of an optical cable using a media reading interface 208. Insome implementations, each of the ports 204 of the connector assemblies202 includes a respective media reading interface 208. In otherimplementations, a single media reading interface 208 may correspond totwo or more ports 204.

In FIG. 5, four example types of connector assembly configurations 210,212, 214, and 215 are shown. In the first connector assemblyconfiguration 210, each connector assembly 202 includes its ownrespective programmable processor 206 and its own respective networkinterface 216 that is used to communicatively couple that connectorassembly 202 to an Internet Protocol (IP) network 218. In the secondtype of connector assembly configuration 212, connector assemblies 202are grouped together in proximity to each other (e.g., in a rack, racksystem, patch panel, chassis, or equipment closet). Each connectorassembly 202 of the group includes its own respective programmableprocessor 206. However, not all of the connector assemblies 202 includetheir own respective network interfaces 216.

In the third type of connector assembly configuration 214, some of theconnector assemblies 202 (e.g., “masters”) in the group include theirown programmable processors 206 and network interfaces 216, while othersof the connector assemblies 202 (e.g., slaves”) do not include their ownprogrammable processors 206 or network interfaces 216. Each programmableprocessor 206 is able to carry out the PLM functions for both theconnector assembly 202 of which it is a part and any of the slaveconnector assemblies 202 to which the master connector assembly 202 isconnected via the local connections.

In the fourth type of connector assembly configuration 215, each of theconnector assemblies 202 in a group includes its own “slave”programmable processors 206. Each slave programmable processor 206 isconfigured to manage the media reading interfaces 208 to determine ifphysical communication media segments are attached to the port 204 andto read the physical layer information stored in or on the attachedphysical communication media segments (if the attached segments havesuch information stored therein or thereon). Each of the slaveprogrammable processors 206 in the group also is communicatively coupledto a common “master” programmable processor 217. The master processor217 communicates the physical layer information read from by the slaveprocessors 206 to devices that are coupled to the IP network 218. Forexample, the master programmable processor 217 may be coupled to anetwork interface 216 that couples the master processor 217 to the IPnetwork 218.

In accordance with some aspects, the communications management system200 includes functionality that enables the physical layer informationcaptured by the connector assemblies 202 to be used by application-layerfunctionality outside of the traditional physical-layer managementapplication domain. For example, the management system 200 may includean aggregation point 220 that is communicatively coupled to theconnector assemblies 202 via the IP network 218. The aggregation point220 can be implemented on a standalone network node or can be integratedalong with other network functionality.

The aggregation point 220 includes functionality that obtains physicallayer information from the connector assemblies 202 (and other devices)and stores the physical layer information in a data store. Theaggregation point 220 also can be used to obtain other types of physicallayer information. For example, this information can be provided to theaggregation point 220, for example, by manually entering suchinformation into a file (e.g., a spreadsheet) and then uploading thefile to the aggregation point 220 (e.g., using a web browser) inconnection with the initial installation of each of the various items.Such information can also, for example, be directly entered using a userinterface provided by the aggregation point 220 (e.g., using a webbrowser).

The management system 200 also may include the tracking arrangement 110of FIG. 1 or components thereof. Accordingly, the strength of theoptical signal arriving at the optical module 120 may be one type ofphysical layer information communicated over the data system and storedat the aggregation point 220.

The management system 200 may also include a network management system(NMS) 230 includes PLI functionality 232 that is configured to retrievephysical layer information from the aggregation point 220 and provide itto the other parts of the NMS 230 for use thereby. The NMS 230 uses theretrieved physical layer information to perform one or more networkmanagement functions. In certain implementations, the NMS 230communicates with the aggregation point 220 over the IP network 218. Inother implementations, the NMS 230 may be directly connected to theaggregation point 220.

An application 234 executing on a computer 236 also can use the APIimplemented by the aggregation point 220 to access the PLI informationmaintained by the aggregation point 220 (e.g., to retrieve suchinformation from the aggregation point 220 and/or to supply suchinformation to the aggregation point 220). The computer 236 is coupledto the IP network 218 and accesses the aggregation point 220 over the IPnetwork 218. For example, one example application 234 may calculate adecay rate for the optical network in the region of one of the opticalmodules 120, 320. Another example application 234 may determine when anoptical signal has decayed beyond a predetermined threshold at one ofthe optical modules 120, 320.

One or more inter-networking devices 238 used to implement the IPnetwork 218 include physical layer information (PLI) functionality 240.The PLI functionality 240 of the inter-networking device 238 isconfigured to retrieve physical layer information from the aggregationpoint 220 and use the retrieved physical layer information to performone or more inter-networking functions. Examples of inter-networkingfunctions include Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3 (of the OSI model)inter-networking functions such as the routing, switching, repeating,bridging, and grooming of communication traffic that is received at theinter-networking device.

Additional details pertaining to example communications managementsystem 200 can be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/025,841, filedFeb. 11, 2011, and titled “Managed Fiber Connectivity Systems,” thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Modifications may be made to the components disclosed withoutdeviating from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the trackingarrangement may be used with electrical systems by connecting wattmeters or other such devices to electrical modules (e.g., using aphysical layer management system). Since many implementations can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, theinvention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical module through which optical signalsare carried from at least one input line to a plurality of output lines,the optical module comprising: a housing defining an interior, at leastone input port at which the at least one input line is received, aplurality of output ports at which the output lines are received andfrom which the output lines are accessible from an exterior of thehousing, and a single monitoring port that is separate from the inputport and the output ports, wherein each output port is configured toread physical layer information from an optical connector plugged intothe output port, wherein each output port is configured to direct thephysical layer information to the single monitor port; an optical powersplitter arrangement disposed within the interior of the housing, theoptical power splitter arrangement including at least one opticalsplitter, the optical power splitter arrangement being configured tosplit the optical signals received at the at least one input line ontothe output lines and onto a plurality of monitoring lines; at least oneoptical receiver arrangement disposed within the interior of thehousing, the optical receiver arrangement being coupled to each of themonitoring lines, the optical receiver arrangement including at leastone optical receiver, the optical receiver arrangement being configuredto measure a power of optical signals received from the monitoringlines, the optical receiver arrangement also being configured to providecorresponding measurement signals to the single monitoring port of thehousing; and a circuit board disposed within the housing, the circuitboard electrically connecting the receiver arrangement to the singlemonitoring port of the housing so that the measurement signals areaccessible from the exterior of the housing through the singlemonitoring port.
 2. The optical module of claim 1, wherein no more than20% of the power of the optical signals are split onto the monitoringlines.
 3. The optical module of claim 2, wherein no more than 10% of thepower of the optical signals are split onto the monitoring lines.
 4. Theoptical module of claim 3, wherein no more than 5% of the power of theoptical signals are split onto the monitoring lines.
 5. The opticalmodule, of claim 4, wherein no more than 2% of the power of the opticalsignals are split onto the monitoring lines.
 6. The optical module ofclaim 1, wherein electrical power is supplied to the optical receiverarrangement through the single monitoring port.
 7. The optical module ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one optical splitter is coupled to all ofthe output lines and all of the monitoring lines.
 8. The optical moduleof claim 1, wherein the optical receiver arrangement includes aplurality of optical receivers, each of the optical receivers receivingoptical signals from a respective one of the monitoring lines.
 9. Theoptical module of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical receiver iscoupled to all of the monitoring lines.
 10. A method of monitoring powerdecay in an optical module configured to be coupled to a physical layerinformation (PLI) management network, the optical module including asplitter arrangement and an optical receiver arrangement disposedtherein, the method comprising: electrically connecting the opticalreceiver arrangement of the optical module to the PLI management networkvia a single monitoring port of the optical module; splitting an opticalsignal received at an input of the optical module into a pluralityoutput signals and a plurality of monitoring signals via the splitterarrangement; directing the output signals to output ports of the opticalmodule, each output port being configured to read physical layerinformation from an optical connector plugged into the output port, andeach output port being configured to direct the physical layerinformation to the single monitor port; obtaining from the opticalreceiver arrangement power measurement readings corresponding with themonitoring signals; communicating the power measurement readings fromthe optical module to the PLI management network via the singlemonitoring port; storing the power measurement readings in memorystorage; and analyzing the power measurement readings to determine adecay rate.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the power measurementreadings are stored and/or analyzed at components disposed within theoptical module.
 12. An optical module through which optical signals arecarried from at least one input line to a plurality of output lines, theoptical module comprising: a housing defining an interior, at least oneinput port at which the at least one input line is received, a pluralityof output ports at which the output lines are received and from whichthe output lines are accessible front an exterior of the housing, and asingle monitoring port that is separate from the input port and theoutput ports; an optical power splitter arrangement disposed within theinterior of the housing, the optical power splitter arrangementincluding at least one optical splitter, the optical power splitterarrangement being configured to split the optical signals received atthe at least one input line onto the output lines and onto a pluralityof monitoring lines, the optical power splitter arrangement includes aplurality of optical splitters, each of the optical splitters splittingoptical signals onto a respective one of the output lines and arespective one of the monitoring lines; at least one optical receiverarrangement disposed within the interior of the housing, the opticalreceiver arrangement being coupled to each of the monitoring lines, theoptical receiver arrangement including at least one optical receiver,the optical receiver arrangement being configured to measure a power ofoptical signals received from the monitoring lines, the optical receiverarrangement also being configured to provide corresponding measurementsignals to the single monitoring port of the housing; and a circuitboard disposed within the housing, the circuit board electricallyconnecting the receiver arrangement to the single monitoring port of thehousing so that the measurement signals are accessible from the exteriorof the housing through the single monitoring port.